Legislators support sheriff’s proposal

Comment

Pontiac Daily Leader - Pontiac, IL

Writer

Posted May. 11, 2013 at 1:10 PM
Updated May 11, 2013 at 1:11 PM

Posted May. 11, 2013 at 1:10 PM
Updated May 11, 2013 at 1:11 PM

Springfield, Ill.

While Livingston County officials discuss future plans and a potential lease of a portion of the recently closed Dwight Correctional Center, area representatives were also helping to push the proposal forward.

“We had a very productive meeting,” said Harms. “I’m very optimistic about our chances for getting this project approved. It’s not every day that we see efficiency in government, but Sheriff Meredith has done an outstanding job and has found a way to benefit the state and the local communities.”

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department currently houses inmates from other counties suffering from overcrowding in their own facilities. The county charges a fee for housing those inmates. Some local officials hope to lease a portion of the Dwight Correctional Center to allow the county to expand these services and bring in additional revenue.

“We had a productive discussion today of the issues related to the county's use of the facility,” said Barickman. “If the Livingston County elected officials decide this is the proper course of action, I will do my best to continue to assist their efforts."

Dwight Correctional Center has only been vacant since the end of March, but many of the gates, cell doors and other items were taken for use at other facilities around the state. The 900 female prisoners were mostly transfered to Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln.